How is the mindset of someone dismissing NASCAR drivers as "tobacco-chewing hicks" best categorized?

The mindset of someone dismissing NASCAR drivers as "tobacco-chewing hicks" is categorized as prejudice. This is because the term reflects preconceived negative attitudes and beliefs about a specific group of people based on their association with NASCAR and potentially rural or working-class characteristics. Prejudice often involves generalizations that lead to unfair or unjust discrimination against individuals, reducing them to stereotypes and overlooking their individual merit or the complexity of their experiences.

Prejudice is characterized by a lack of understanding or appreciation for the diversity within a group, and this label implies a bias against NASCAR drivers based on cultural stereotypes. Instead of considering the skills, dedication, and hard work that these drivers exhibit, the use of derogatory language fosters a narrow, less informed view of them as a whole. This kind of mindset can lead to social division and reinforces negative societal attitudes.